Series synopsis
Fleming is a British drama war & politics television series that premiered on Sky Atlantic on January 29, 2014. It ended on February 19, 2014. It stars Dominic Cooper, Lara Pulver, Samuel West and Anna Chancellor.
Set at the outbreak of WWII – mischievous playboy Ian Fleming is untroubled by the specter of impending war – chasing women, collecting rare books and living off his family fortune. Forever in the shadow of his brother Peter, and an eternal disappointment to his formidable mother Eve, Fleming dreams of becoming the ‘ultimate’ man – a hero, a lover, a brute and the one who always gets the girl. He is finally given some direction in his life when he’s recruited by the Director of Naval Intelligenc ...
Premise
Set at the outbreak of WWII – mischievous playboy Ian Fleming is untroubled by the specter of impending war – chasing women, collecting rare books and living off his family fortune. Forever in the shadow of his brother Peter, and an eternal disappointment to his formidable mother Eve, Fleming dreams of becoming the ‘ultimate’ man – a hero, a lover, a brute and the one who always gets the girl. He is finally given some direction in his life when he’s recruited by the Director of Naval Intelligence to help in the effort against the Nazis. Suddenly, Fleming finds his chance to shine and prove his worth.
Premise: He lived it before he wrote it.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Dominic Cooper as Ian Fleming
- Lara Pulver as Ann O'Neill
- Samuel West as Rear Admiral John Godfrey
- Anna Chancellor as Second Officer Monday
- Rupert Evans as Peter Fleming
- Lesley Manville as Evelyn Fleming
- Pip Torrens as Esmond Rothermere
- Camilla Rutherford as Loelia, Duchess of Westminster
Supporting cast
- Annabelle Wallis as Muriel Wright
- Stanley Townsend as Colonel William Donovan
- Antonia Thomas as Jazz Singer
- Harry Treadaway as Sub Lieutenant Hepworth
- Michael Maloney as Rear Admiral Rushbrooke
- Eric Meyers as Colonel William Stephenson
- Caroline Boulton as Janet
- Dean Lennox Kelly as Sergeant Dixon
Guest cast
- Tim Woodward as Air Chief Marshall 'Bomber' Harris
Episodes
This series spans 1 season with 4 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 4 | January 29, 2014 | February 19, 2014 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 1 In London, 1938, Ian Fleming is a dissolute playboy, eclipsed by his dead war hero father and successful brother. While propping up the bar at a jazz club, he meets Ann O'Neill, an alluring socialite. Unlike many of his conquests, Ann is more than a match for him. She already has a husband and a lover, Esmond Rothermere. Fleming finds solace in the arms of a beautiful dispatch rider named Muriel. Following a frosty morning-after encounter with Muriel, Fleming's domineering mother secures him a job assisting Naval Intelligence's Admiral John Godfrey. He quickly incurs Godfrey's wrath when he cooks up an unorthodox scheme to get information from two captured German submariners. However, Fleming's valuable findings make it apparent that an imaginative approach could be just what the war effort requires. |
January 29, 2014 |
| 2 |
Episode 2 A mischievous Ann invites Fleming to Esmond's birthday party, and although Fleming has brought Muriel as his date, sexual chemistry sizzles between them. Meanwhile, France is looking like it's about to crumble against Nazi forces. Office bound and desperate to be a man of action, Fleming urgently tries to persuade Godfrey to send him to France to oversee the destruction of secret files at one of their bureaus. To his surprise, Godfrey accepts. Fleming sets-off on his mission, but when unexpected obstacles arise, how will he handle the dangerous consequences? |
February 5, 2014 |
| 3 |
Episode 3 While training at a camp in Canada (Camp X), the Americans ask Fleming to use his talents to write a blueprint for a Central Intelligence Agency. On his return to London, Fleming persuades Godfrey to form the 30 Assault Unit - a group of the toughest soldiers prepared to play dirty, with Fleming serving as commanding officer. He believes the new unit of Intelligence Commandos is the key to beating the Nazis. Meanwhile, Fleming continues his relationship with Ann, but refuses to consider taking it to the next level, while Rothermere makes it clear he intends to win her over once and for all. |
February 12, 2014 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | Sky Atlantic |
|---|---|
| First aired | January 29, 2014 |
| Last aired | February 19, 2014 |
| Runtime | 60 minutes |
| Status | ended |
| Schedule | Wednesday at 22:00:00 |